creep

Pronunciation

• enPR: /krēp/, IPA ^(key): /kriːp/
• SAMPA: /kri:p/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular creep

Plural creeps

1. When an animal moves with its belly close to the ground.

   The creep of the snake makes it frightening.

2. Small movement of an object.
3. Small and progressive changes of a measure.

   Few people noticed the creep of the prices this year.

4. (informal) A very annoying person who makes you nervous.

   Stop staring at me all the time, you creep!

Verb

Plain form creep

Third-person singular creeps

Past tense crept

Past participle crept

Present participle creeping

Plain form creep

Third-person singular creeps

Past tense creeped

Past participle creeped

Present participle creeping

1. (intransitive) An animal creeps when it moves with its belly close to the ground.
   • Synonym: crawl

   Snakes and lizards creep.

2. (intransitive) A plant creeps when it grows close to the ground or stuck to a wall, instead of growing upwards.
3. (intransitive) To move slowly and quietly in a particular direction, like a snake can move.
4. (intransitive) To change slowly and gradually.

   When prices creep, some people do not immediately notice the changes.

Related words

• creepy